Woodland Artisan

I normally stay away from the streams and lakes here in the Ozarks from Memorial to Labor days but I wanted to do a short, early morning float with a new kayak to test it out for river use and thought that the James might be deep enough (especially after those rains) to do it. It was, but barely. The Galena USGS gauge was 2.93 or thereabouts. Anyway, caught 2 6-8" smallmouths, 1 small catfish, 3 4-9" goggle-eye and a smattering of bluegill and sunfish. Mostly used bright red and green spinnerbaits but had some luck on a 4" red salamander rigged weedless. Water was mostly clear (seen it clearer on the James but not by a whole lot) and cool. The shear number and sizes of carp and suckers throughout that float amazed me. Been floating the James off and on for 40+ years and never saw so many or in so many places. 2 groups of floaters (7-10 boats each) and a couple of power boats flying up the river from (I assume) the Galena bridge put-in. Not quite sure just how they got up some of the places I had to get out of the kayak to go down the river, though. The first was respectful, at least, by slowing down a bit as they past me and then the floaters up stream but the second didn't care, I guess. Nice day to get out but the Ozarks is filling up fast.

Sorry about that. I'm not a forum slug.

Just ran across this one and thought it might be food for thought for all of us that fish the rivers of the Ozarks (and beyond) ... http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/urinating-along-meramec-river-dispute-over-property-rights-led-to/article_a2774d0e-578c-5d01-89e2-d334dbe7c9c3.html

I have the 2012 version of the Bass Pro Ascend FS12T, too, BassMaster#1, and agree with the wet butt ... it's not a problem if you're not crashing into 2' swells out at sea or just flailing about with your paddles. In fact, I have yet to take out the scupper plugs. It just doesn't get that wet. If anything, I wish the forward scuppers were a bit farther forward as what little water does accumulate there seems to hold closer to the feet. With this kayak, I've made 3 different fishing trips in the past month and caught 3 different fish that were the largest of those types I've ever caught ... catfish, muskie and now largemouth bass. They weren't monsters, by any means, but certainly personal bests. There are much better kayaks, I'm sure, but the price was right and it got me out there a day after I got it. So far, I'm very happy.